Director Joe Begos has made a habit of combining gory violence with a synth score, but who can blame him for revelling in his cinematic tastes when the two work so effectively in tandem?
Begos presents a world in which psychokinesis is like an affliction; an increasingly dangerous power that few people have. But here, protagonists Zach and Rachel find themselves victim to a deranged doctor who's intent on harvesting their power for his own sinister agenda.
Begos isn't shy at showing his genre influences. There's little subtlety to the films that have inspired this low-budget effort, but he knows what he wants, and he often succeeds. The budget limits the characters and locations so that the film never touches on the worldwide concerns of psychokinetically gifted individuals like in Cronenberg's 'Scanners', but it still tells a dark tale about the addiction of power, and what those who don't have it will debase themselves to for a mere chance.
The violence could be criticised for being excessive and numbing, but on the other hand you could argue karmic retribution should come at a grisly price. Either way, the longer this sci-fi horror goes on, the gorier it becomes. Psychokinesis is shown at its most horrifying with heads exploding, bodies being ripped apart, and melee weapons being flung with lethal precision. Overall, with an 80s look and feel, and employing a great synth score, this is an underrated treat.
Begos presents a world in which psychokinesis is like an affliction; an increasingly dangerous power that few people have. But here, protagonists Zach and Rachel find themselves victim to a deranged doctor who's intent on harvesting their power for his own sinister agenda.
Begos isn't shy at showing his genre influences. There's little subtlety to the films that have inspired this low-budget effort, but he knows what he wants, and he often succeeds. The budget limits the characters and locations so that the film never touches on the worldwide concerns of psychokinetically gifted individuals like in Cronenberg's 'Scanners', but it still tells a dark tale about the addiction of power, and what those who don't have it will debase themselves to for a mere chance.
The violence could be criticised for being excessive and numbing, but on the other hand you could argue karmic retribution should come at a grisly price. Either way, the longer this sci-fi horror goes on, the gorier it becomes. Psychokinesis is shown at its most horrifying with heads exploding, bodies being ripped apart, and melee weapons being flung with lethal precision. Overall, with an 80s look and feel, and employing a great synth score, this is an underrated treat.